Scaling ambassador programs
Building a global network of educators who didn't just advocate for the brand — they helped shape it.
Two beloved communities. One opportunity to make them stronger.
When Nearpod acquired Flocabulary, I inherited two established educator communities with their own identities, traditions, and expectations.
The challenge wasn't simply bringing the programs together. It was figuring out what made each community valuable, preserving those relationships through organizational change, and building a more scalable experience for members.
I wanted educators to feel that being part of these communities meant more than receiving a badge or early access to product updates. It should give them opportunities to connect, develop professionally, influence the product, and share their expertise with others.
A community experience designed around participation.
- 01
A more intentional ambassador program — Refined recruitment, onboarding, recognition, and engagement across Nearpod's PioNear and Flocabulary educator communities, creating shared opportunities while preserving what made each distinctive.
- 02
Real opportunities to connect — Introduced appreciation events, virtual gatherings, member workshops, and peer learning experiences that helped educators build relationships beyond their interactions with the brand.
- 03
Recognition and professional growth — Expanded certification and digital badging programs, giving educators new ways to develop expertise, demonstrate their skills, and earn recognition within their professional networks.
- 04
Educators as speakers and creators — Built opportunities for ambassadors to lead conference sessions, deliver booth demos, present at Camp Engage, contribute original content, and represent Nearpod and Flocabulary in their own communities.
- 05
A stronger connection to the business — Worked across Product, Marketing, and Customer Success to bring educator feedback into product planning, identify customer stories, and connect advocacy opportunities to broader company goals.
- →Grew the PioNear network to 308 members across 25 countries and 44 U.S. states.
- →Increased international ambassador representation by 40% and BIPOC representation by 84% through targeted recruitment.
- →Activated PioNears to deliver 41 conference booth demos and present at 18 conferences during a six-month reporting period.
- →Built a repeatable model for educators to contribute to product feedback, professional learning, community content, and brand advocacy.
The strongest advocates have a voice, not just a title.
The goal was never simply to grow the number of ambassadors. It was to create a community where educators gained something meaningful from participating — and where their contributions made the brand, product, and wider educator community better.